Spring 2023
Clone Your Favorite Clothes
Sewing Retreat
Do you have a piece of clothing that
you wish you had a pattern for?
Maybe it's on it's last legs
or it's not quite the
right color or you
just want more of them.
Join us for a 5 days of
pattern drafting and sewing on
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Bring your favorite garments
and we'll make a pattern from them
and sew them up
5 Day, 4 Night Retreat
She goes above expectations making everyone feel special and creating a wonderful connection between participants. She even provided special gifts to all of us that participated.
Her skills go far beyond the finished product and include troubleshooting your machine and making sure you have the right fit for your pattern and showing us the possible modifications to meet our individual styles.
Tina had a way of making me feel very part of the group. I loved how she got so excited about everything.
I came expecting to hang out with people with same interests and spending time with my daughter. I left very happy having met wonderful sewers, learning new sewing ideas and so delighted that I was able to experience the sewing retreat.
It was a perfect balance of sewing time, group time and down time.
All of those expectations were met along with a better understanding of how to fit a pattern to my body, having a great experience with a group of wonderful ladies (I especially liked the sharing in our morning group talks), getting to experience Mackinac Island and having a more positive view of my body.
You know that favorite hoody you have that you wish, wish, wish they still made? But honestly, while it’s nearly perfect…it could use a slight adjustment there and a tweak here.
Yup, me too!
Well, get ready to clone that favorite garment into a sewing pattern, make those adjustments and sew it up!
But not on your own. Oh no.
With friends, the new ones you met in the spa pool, and with some encouraging, expert sewing & pattern drafting instruction!
And while you’re at it…maybe you’re craving a bit of time to get in the flow, dance a little, get mindful with like-minded women, and soak in the spa pool.
Yeah, I get that
You’ve come to the right place.
In this intimate retreat, only 12 spots, you’ll learn to create a pattern from your garment (maybe a couple?!), sew it up and make fit adjustments.
All while getting mindful about what you sew, loving your body a bit more and connecting.
(ready to book now? Scroll right to the end!) – sorry! Registration is now closed.
Here’s what you can expect…
- You’ll create a sewing pattern from a favorite garment that you’ve brought along with you to the retreat. (and if it was me, I’d bring 3 or 4 perhaps!) No, we won’t be cutting your beloved shirt apart, no harm will come to it. I promise!
2. Then, we’ll take the time to sew them up and adjust the fit.
3. Then, we’ll do it again. And again…until we run out of time!
You’ll leave with a pattern for your favorite garment, a new cloned version to wear home and maybe, just maybe one or two more!
That’s not all!
When we’re not dreaming up lovely clothes, sewing and designing, we’ll be lounging in the spa pool, doing Qoya (what’s Qoya? Check it out) and mindfulness activities, hiking, bike riding (while avoiding horse hooves), immersed in deep conversation, taking meals together, and connecting!
Got questions?
Do I have to know a lot about sewing to come or to feel comfortable?
While beginner level sewing experience is required, you don’t have to be an expert at sewing clothes. That means, if you’ve used a sewing machine and can sew a thing or two…you’re good to go. You don’t have to have extensive clothes sewing experience, but you do need to know how to effectively use your sewing machine. You do have to have enough comfort to understand, at least preliminarily how the garment is constructed and estimate how much fabric you’ll need. I can help with this too.
A little nervous about cloning your favorite clothes?
Have no fear, I’ll break it down into easy steps. And make it doable and fun. …and, this is the important part, no garments will be harmed in the cloning process!
Do I need to lug my sewing machine along?
Yes. However, no lugging required. Once you arrive on the island, the hotel has porters who will haul your luggage (including your machine) to the hotel…via bike! Really. I’m not kidding.
Coming from afar? I have a couple of basic machines for lending (no fee). Just let me know!
What about COVID?
Good question. Here are a few of the precautions we’ll be taking. We ask that everyone attending the retreat be vaccinated or take a COVID test three days prior to attending and test negative. Also, we’ll be ordering dinner in as a group (if you wish) and eating in a private dining area at the hotel. Masks are not required, but you are welcome to wear one. If the CDC recommendations change for that, we’ll follow those recommendations. If we have to cancel the retreat due to a COVID (or other unforeseen event) you’ll get all your registration fees and deposit back.
You probably have lots more questions…all the details are below! If you don’t find the answer to your concerns, or you just want to talk with someone who’s as excited as you, feel very, very free to contact me at Tina@kinshiphandwork.com
All the Details
Tina VanDenburg – Sewing Instuctor and Your Host!
Tina VanDenburg – Sewing Instuctor and Your Host!
I have been sewing my own clothing for over 15 years. As a lover of learning, I dove in deep and learned early on how to draft my own patterns and how to get really nerdy on fiber content and great fit. I live in knit fabrics. And so, I teach about knit fabrics, primarily.
I’m passionate about getting to know what you love to wear so that you can use clothing as a way to show up in the world fully lit up.
Great fit and altering patterns is a huge piece of that journey for me.
I want to share that with you! It’s easier than you think.
Adrienne Wood – Qoya Instructor
Adrienne Wood – Qoya InstructorRegistration for the retreat is $675. – Registration is now closed for the spring retreat!
Registration costs includes:
- expert instruction in sewing, fitting and pattern alterations
- studio time to work on your projects and to experiment
- Qoya classes and Mindfulness activities
- sweet little surprises
- secret extra activity
- closing celebration lunch on Thursday
- coffee, tea and snacks during the day
Materials, travel, meals and lodging are not included.
See below for detailed options.
The cliffnotes…
Lodging – $89.99 per night for a single room (this is an incredible deal, not only for Mackinac Island, but for anywhere!)
Meals – breakfast at the hotel starts at $10, you can also get lunch at the hotel burrito bar and we’ll plan to order dinner in as a group, choosing a different restaurant each night. (if you choose to join!)
See Lodging & Meals for more detailed information.
We’ll be staying at the historic Murray Hotel on Mackinac Island. The Murray Hotel is a quiet, family owned hotel built in the late 1800’s and is located right downtown. I’ve had the pleasure of staying at the Murray Hotel several times and can attest that their hospitality and warmth is unparalleled. We will be using the Gallery room for sewing/making and gathering. The hotel also has an inviting, spa pool in a cozy, private courtyard open to the sky. Did I mention they make their own fudge and you can buy it in the lobby?
Mackinac Island is a small island located between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas. The Island has a lot of interesting history, which is preserved in its state parks. The Island has a small, robust downtown with restaurants, shops and bars and also sports 70 miles of trails for biking and walking. You can circumnavigate the Island on bike in about an hour (8.3 miles). Cars are not permitted on Mackinac Island, so you are going back in time where the main means of transportation are bicycles and horse-drawn carriages. A ferry boat must be taken to reach Mackinac Island.
We have a block of historic rooms held for our retreat. In order to take advantage of the special room rates below, when booking your room for the retreat, ask for the Kinship Retreats rooms. The historic rooms are cozy (small!) but very comfortable. And as I mentioned, the hospitality is exceptional.
Contact the Murray Hotel to reserve your room. – www.mymurrayhotel.com phone (855) 696-8772
Historic One Bed Room rate $89.99 per night.
Historic room with one queen bed and a standard view. Historic rooms are the original rooms from the 1880’s and have a smaller bathroom with just a standing shower and toilet. There is a sink with a glass shelf above in the bedroom.
Historic Two Bed Room rate $149.99 per night.
Historic room with two queen beds and a standard view. Historic rooms are the original rooms from the 1880’s and have a small bathroom with just a shower stall and toilet. There is a small sink with a glass shelf above in the bedroom.
*Deluxe room upgrades are $50 per night per availability. Deluxe rooms are larger with a full bathroom.
Contact the Murray Hotel to reserve your room. – www.mymurrayhotel.com phone (855) 696-8772
Breakfast and Lunch are available in the hotel at Amigo Burrito Cafe; an informal Mexican grill serving made-to-order burritos, tacos, quesadillas and salads with fresh ingredients a la carte. Click the link for menus.
There is also a market just a few doors down. Doud’s Market is America’s oldest family-operated grocery store!
There will be a 1 1/2 hour lunch break, so feel free to partake with the group at the hotel or venture out.
Dinner – We will choose a different dinner location nightly from what the Island has to offer. Join us as you wish.
Snacks and coffee/tea and water will be provided during class time.
You will need to catch a ferry to the Island from either Mackinaw City or St Ignace, Michigan. The ferry costs approximately $30 round trip with an additional $13 for a bike. (you can also rent bikes on the Island)
If bringing a bike, remember to bring a bike lock. I enjoy having a bike while on the Island, but it’s not necessary, as the downtown is small and the hotel is located downtown.
Information on getting a ferry.
Links to two of the ferry companies…Starline and Shepler’s Ferry
Once you arrive, the Murray Hotel will have porters that meet the ferry and transport your luggage and equipment to the hotel. (whew…you don’t have to lug your sewing machine down the streets!) The hotel is only a block or two from the ferry docks.
Sunday
4 pm check-in to the hotel
5:30 pm – optional dinner as a group from a restaurant on the Island
7-8:30 pm – Everyone – Welcome Ceremony! (psst…this time is somewhat fluid depending on how long dinner takes)
Monday
8-8:30 am – Breakfast available at the hotel
8:30 am- Mindfulness Journey (optional!)
9-noon – Class Time
noon-1:30pm – Lunch and free time (for those interested, we can order a picnic lunch and either walk or bike ride on the island)
1:30-3:30 pm – Class Time
4:00-4:45 pm – Qoya Inspired Class!
6:00-7:30 pm – Dinner (if desired; as a group from a restaurant on the Island)
Tuesday
8-8:30 am – Breakfast available at the hotel
8:30-9:00 am – Mindfulness Journey
9:00-noon – Class Time
12:15 pm – 1:00 pm – Qoya Inspired Class
Free afternoon and evening, the studio will be open and you are welcome to sew…but you may just want to go exploring!
Wednesday
8-8:30 am – Breakfast available at the hotel
8:30 am- Mindfulness Journey
9-noon – Class Time
noon-1:30pm – Lunch and free time (for those interested, we’ll order a picnic lunch and either walk or bike ride on the island)
1:30-3:15 pm – Class Time
3:30-5:00 pm – Full Qoya Class
Evening Surprise!
Thursday
8-8:30 am – Breakfast
8:30 am- Mindfulness Journey (optional!)
9-noon – Class Time
noon-2:00pm – CELEBRATION LUNCH …and CLOSING CIRCLE
Check out and departure. (of course, you can always book an extra night and spend some more time exploring the island!)
* All is subject to change!
Supplies for sewing muslin and dress/garments
- Your sewing machine with cords, foot pedal, owner’s manual and presser feet…We have a couple of extra, basic sewing machines that we can provide those coming from afar, let me know if you’d like one.
- Basic sewing kit: fabric scissors, pins & cushion, flexible tape measure, seam ripper, tailor’s chalk
- bobbins
- Sewing machine needles
-
Fabric requirements as far as yardage and notions will be dependent on your projects. Let’s talk in advance to get an estimate.
- All-purpose thread to match
*Fabric should be pre-washed and dried (in the same manner that you plan to wash your handmade garment) to reduce or eliminate shrinkage.
Supplies for pattern drafting
- 18″ see through ruler
- Pen and pencil, sharpener, eraser
- notebook
- clear tape
- paper scissors
- pattern paper – I like to use medical exam paper (yes, like what your doctor uses on the exam table) I have several extra rolls that I can bring to sell for $6 each. Let me know if you’d like one.
- (optional) french curve or hip curve
Others things to consider bringing…
- a journal for the mindfulness exercises and Qoya
- comfortable clothes for the Qoya dance class
- bathing suit for the spa pool!
- bike, helmet and bike lock
- day backpack for hikes/bike rides
- Spring and Fall in Michigan can swing between warm (mid 60’s) and cold (mid 30’s)…bring warm layers and a jacket (and maybe a light hat for hikes).
I ask that you either be vaccinated or agree to take a COVID test three days prior to attending. That test must come back negative to attend.
All event participants agree to take measures to reduce their risk of exposure to COVID-19 and follow all CDC guidelines prior to the event start date.
All event participants must confirm that they have not experienced any COVID-19 symptoms or knowingly been exposed to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in the 7 days prior to the event start date.
Following CDC guidelines, at this time, physical distancing and mask wearing is not required at this retreat.
Register
Registration is now closed for the spring retreat.
Cost of registration – $675
$200 non-refundable deposit holds your spot, with the balance due on 4/1/2022.
Registration includes all instruction, studio time, sewing patterns, sweet gift made just for you, coffee/tea and snacks during the day, celebration lunch, Qoya and mindfulness activities, secret activity and other surprises!
Materials, travel, meals and lodging are not included
Policies
This is a four-night, five-day retreat and we are not able to offer any partial attendance. Thank you for your understanding.
*Cancellation Policy: Once paid, deposits are non-refundable. While there are no refunds on the rest of the retreat cost after April 1st, 2023, you can find another to take your place. We’ll do our best to help in this process. There are no exceptions. All requests for refunds must be received in writing before April 1st, 2023. In the case of acts of nature, disaster or unforeseen circumstances, Kinship Handwork reserves the right to reschedule or cancel this workshop. If Kinship Handwork cancels the workshop, all money paid will be returned.